Fireplace heater



Sept. 8, 1931. A. J. HALLERT 1,322,090.

FIREPLACE HEATER Filed Fleb. 25. 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 K I 27 25 m a2 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY p 1931- A. J. HALLERT v 1,822,090-

FIREPLACE HEATER Filed Feb. 25, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 8, 1931 UNITED STATES ALBERT J. HALLERT, F OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA FIREPLACE HEATER Application filed February 25, 1930.

The invention relates to an air heating and circulating device for installation in open fireplaces.

An object of the invention isto provide a device of the class described in which the elements thereof are arranged for installation in existing fireplaces of various shapes and sizes without requiring structural alteration of the fireplace or variation in the m elements.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the class described for mainly utilizing fireplace heat which is normally lost for room heating purposes.

A further object is to provide a device of the class described which does not inter fere with the radiant heat which normally emanates from the fireplace, nor otherwise changes the'heat and air circulating condig tions immediately in front of the fireplace.

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some of which, with the foregoing will be set forth or be apparent in the following description of a pre- '25 ferred embodiment of the invention which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a fireplace having a heater means embodying my invention installed therein.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the installation.

Figure 3 is a plan section at 3-3 in Fig ure 1. v

Figure 4 is a vertical section through the fireplace, the View being taken at 44: in Figure j Figure 5 is a fragmentary vertical section at 55 in Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a section of a heater element of the device, the view being taken at the line 66 in Figure 3.

Figure 7 is a side elevation of the fireplace and heater, the view being taken at 77 in Figure 2.

Open fireplaces are provided both for heating and adding a decorative element to a room. Thermally, a fireplace is extremely ineflicient, since the air circulated by the draft therethrough escapes through the i0 chimney, and the heat which emanates from Serial No. 431,096.

the fireplace into the room is only that which is projected by radiation directly from the fire or from the fireplace walls which face the room. Generally, only the back wall of a fireplace serves as a secondary source of radiant heat for projection into the room and a major portion of the heat from the side walls escapes with the chimney draft. The present heater is designed to produce a draft of heated air through the room by mainly utilizing heat from the side walls of the fireplace and in such a manner as to not interfere with or prevent a normal heating effect directly in front of the fireplace by radiation from a visible fire therein, 6 thus preserving the aesthetic advantages of a fireplace while increasing its thermal efiiciency.

The present invention essentially comprises a pair of complementary elements or 7 units 8 and 9 for disposal more or less within a fireplace recess 11 and at the opposite sides thereof, said recess being defined between side walls 12, a back wall 13, a bottom wall 14, and a top wall 15. A flue outlet 16 is provided in the top wall 15 for discharging the smoke and escaping gases from the fireplace and into a chimney passage 17. As shown, the walls 12 are angularly related whereby the fireplace recess is widest at its so open side, and said sides extend vertically to their intersection with the top wall 15.

It is to be noted that there is considerable variation between the shapes of fireplace recesses and that no limitation of the application of the present invention to a recess of the specific form shown is to be implied excepting only the case where said recess is built to receive the units 8 and 9 in generally fitted relation therein.

Referring now to the structure of the units 8 and 9, said units essentially comprise hollow and slab-like members of heatconducting material for operative disposal opposite and adjacent the side walls 12 of the fireplace and to extend slightly forwardly from the fireplace. These members are arranged for direct and supported engagement in upright position on the fireplace bottom wall 1d and the fireplace hearth which lies forwardly of the wall 1 1 as a continuation thereof, and their rear and top edges follow the general lines of the opposite portions of the back and top side walls 13 and 15 respectively. Back of the forwardly protruding portions 18 thereof, the heater units are no higher than the front fireplace opening whereby to permit their insertion bodily in the fireplace and in their operative positions. Preferably, and as particularly brought out in Figures 1 to 3, the members 8 and 9 are provided at points adjacent the intersections of their lower and rear edges with transverse inward foot extensions 19 whereby to support them against inward tipping thereof. The extensions 19 are arranged-to be disposed opposite and along bottom portions of the rear fireplace wall 13 and are generally triangular in front elevation whereby they lie mainly below the level of the fireplace grate 21 and do not cover portions of the back wall 13 which might serve as secondary sources of radiant heat from the fireplace. As shown, the foot extensions 19 are hollow and their cavities form extensions of the cavities of the mem- 'bers.

Preferably, and as shown, the protruding portions 18 of the members 8 and 9 are expanded transversely of the general planes of the members and laterally outwardly thereof to provide flange-like extensions 22 behind which the side edges of the fireplace opening are arranged to be concealed. The portions 18 also extend above the top edge of the fireplace opening for concealing this latter edge thereat as well, and may include inwardly directed extensions 23 as particularly shown. The forward faces of the portions 18 and their various extensions cooperate to define a plane generally parallel to that of the fireplace opening and said portions and extensions provide a casing for said opening which conceals the opening edges behind it. The mutually parallel foot extensions 19 and front extensions 22, it is noted, extend obliquely and oppositely of tie general plane of the intermediate porions whereby plan sectlons ilClJflCSIlt the bot- ..toms of the members 8 and 9 discloses the same as of Z-section thereat, as is particularly shown in Figure 3.

It will now be noted that the cavities 2-1 of the members 8 and 9 are arranged for the convection circulation of air therethrough by reason of the heating of said members and the air therem by a fire 1n the 'fireplace. Accordingly, air inlet and discharge openings are provided respectively at the bottom and top of each cavit said a a openings being so located as to insure such air fiow to and from the heater members as will least interfere with the heat which is directly radiated fromthe fireplace. Ac-

- cordingly, and as shown, inlet openings 25 the fireplace where it would create a cold draft against-the back of a person disposed thereat. .The upwardly directed discharge from the outlets 26 creates a stream which passes over a person in front of the fireplace and so heats the air of the room hehind said person. In this manner, theadvantages of the fireplace as a direct heat source are retained and the air of the room may at the same time be warmed by the heating units now described. Preferably, and as shown, the portions of the members 8 and 9 which lie within the fireplace recess are relatively thin transversely thereof, a thickness of about four inches being generally sufficient.

Preferably, shuttered gratings 27 would be provided at the inlets 25, and gratings 28 are provided at the outlets 26. The exposed front portions of the heating units 8 and 9 may be decorated as desired, and it is intended that the units be cast of iron, or some other suitable heat-conducting material whereby to readily transmit heat to the circulated air in the cavities 24. To insure a proper heating of the air passing through the heating units, horizontal bafile partitions 29 are provided in the cavities 24:, as shown in Figure 6, whereby to retard the air flow and direct it in a zigzag path through the units. As particularly illustrated, means are pro vided for cooperatively supporting the grate 21 by and between the units 8 and 9. As shown, horizontally disposed shelf-like projections 31 extend inwardly from the innerfaces 32 of the units for the supporting reception of grate sections 33. Then, as is particularly shown, the faces 32 are angularly relatedthe sections 83 are trapezoidal in form. :115

It will now be noted that a removable installation of the units 8 and9 merely involves setting the same in a fireplace recess and against the side walls thereof with the back faces of the facing extensions 22 en- 12o gaging the front mantel face 34:. If the obliquity of the members is the same as that of the fireplace side walls, a maximum fire space may be defined between the units, but considerable variation is permitted for the 1 25 installation of a given pair of theunits whereby said units may be installed [in fireplace recesses which have not been specifically shaped to receive them, the front extension 22 concealing any lack of exactv 13 ing of the units, or to construct said sections for an extension or contraction thereof, the former being assumed in the present instance.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, the advantages of the construction and method of operation will be readily understood by those skilled in the art to which the invention appertains, and while I have described the principle of operation, to:- gether with the device which I now consider to be the best embodiment thereof, I desire to have it understood that the device shown is merely illustrative, and that such changes may be made, when desired, as fall within the scope of the appended claim.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States the following:

The combination with an open fireplace of an air-heating and circulating device adapted to be positioned within the fireplace, said device comprising a pair of hollow flat members adapted to be disposed in a vertical position one adjacent each side of the fireplace opening and within the same and substantially parallel to the adjacent side of the fireplace opening, the forward edge of each member projecting beyond the fireplace opening and being expanded laterally to overlie the adjacent side marginal edge of the fireplace opening, the upper end of the projecting portion of each member being expanded laterally inwardly and overlying a portion of the top marginal edge of the fireplace opening, each member being formed with an air inlet opening at the outer side of the projecting portion thereof and adjacent the lower edge of the member, each member being formed with an air outlet opening in the upper edge of its projecting portion whereby to provide a convection flow of air through each of said hollow members, horizontally disposed bafile members arranged in staggered relation within each hollow member to retard the air flow through the hollow member and direct it in a zigzag path therethrough.

In testimony whereof, I affix my signature.

ALBERT J. HALLERT. 

